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xoB finds this shot of a horse competition in China, apparently part of their Xinhe Festival in Rongshui Miao Autonomous Region.

A little Googling shows that xenhi is the Chinese word for newly-planted crops, that the Miao is an ethnic group, and that the festival includes many less cruel activities as well. The link shows shots of "catching fish in the fields", which appears to be a happily ironic festival activity, a fertility practice, not some sort of schizophrenia.

As usual, we observe the gentle difficulty of highlighting such practices without necessarily enjoying them.

Ibby Wednesday Jul 12 02:13 PM

Crazy chink--... I mean, uh, crazy chinese ethnic group!

Highriskgeo Wednesday Jul 12 02:25 PM

you know whenever i see things like this whether it be cock fighting or dog fighting it makes me sick to my stomache...i mean who in there right mind finds this entertaining....

Pie Wednesday Jul 12 02:46 PM

WWE?

chrisinhouston Wednesday Jul 12 05:17 PM

The website quote along side of the image says "People catch fishes in the fields ..." Reminds me of the menu at the Chinese restaraunt in my neighborhood that always describes shrimp dishes with phrases like "tasty shrimps..."

I guess it could be worse, we had one Chinese restaraunt in Houston that listed a dish as having children's breast as an ingredient instead of chicken breast!

spooke Wednesday Jul 12 06:47 PM

How the hell do you encourage horses to attack each other???

Hoof Hearted Wednesday Jul 12 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooke

How the hell do you encourage horses to attack each other???

Two studs. Mare in heat somewhere nearby. Sometimes the studs don't even need a mare for a reason to fight.
How do they encourage roosters in cock fighting?
Dogs in dog fighting?
It is the aggressive/competetive nature in many male animals.xant Wednesday Jul 12 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisinhouston

The website quote along side of the image says "People catch fishes in the fields ..."

Without commenting on this particular usage, I will use 5 pedantic points and point out that "fishes" is often correct.

"Fish" is the plural of fish when there are more than one of the same type of fish.

"Fishes" can be the plural of fish when you are talking about different types of fish, or heterogeneous fish generally.Leah Wednesday Jul 12 08:41 PM

I'm with you Highriskgeo. I hate seeing or reading about any animals (big or small, ugly or cute) forced to fight for the sick pleasure it brings to some people and their stupid cultures. I don't care if humans/people wish to fight, but for goodness sake don't force animals to fight for entertainment. Makes me sick and angry.

sgr Wednesday Jul 12 09:03 PM

Horse Fighting

Horse fighting was popular among the Scandinavians; reading the Icelandic sagas and myths, one finds a culture devoted, dependent, and yet despicable, to its equines.

West or East: Wherever there are horses there is cruelty and beauty—their nature is like ours.

xoxoxoBruce Wednesday Jul 12 09:20 PM

Welcome to the Cellar, sgr.
You're right, animal fights have been the pastime of many cultures. Common livestock in very poor cultures and specially bred fighters in wealthier ones.

Leah said they shouldn't be forced to fight but should have said they shouldn't be allowed to fight. All they need is an opportunity because it's their nature.

Sorry. Only word I have is: idiots! Our equivalent of rednecks (and lest I have offended I think redneck is a state of mind, not a product of birth location.)

xoxoxoBruce Thursday Jul 13 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajaccio

As an equine lover, this pic is painful for me to view - but if I take a second to put on a dispassionate overcoat, I think the photo capture of this moment is amazing.

Exactly, ajaccio. This picture and the other horse fighting one, weren't in IOtD to glorify horse fighting, but because they are both pictures that capture the beauty and power of horses in motion. mitheral Thursday Jul 13 10:28 PM

Two studs are going to fight given enough time, just the way it is.
We are too far removed from nature.
I have to say that the idea of enjoying it, betting on it, is foreign to me... but not "despicable".
Cock and dog fights where they are bred and armed so it is to the death, outside of nature, is another thing all together.
As for bull fighting... I place myself in the bull's place.
Would I want to die as just something raised as food alone, or as a warrior (what a bull is) with one last shot to get one chance to take one of "them" out with me? No-brainier.

Away from the dance contest on the main square, the most excitable crowd was gathered around the bull ring - actually a trampled rape field - where the bullfighting contests began in mid-afternoon. The Miao don't fight in the Catalan fashion; they pit one bull against another in a trial of strength. This lasts either until one bull clearly proves its superiority, or is stopped and declared a draw if there is no winner after 5 minutes.

This still isn't entertainment for animal lovers - after one fight, the bulls were separated only for one to then break away from its handlers and charge back into the fray, goring its opponent. The bulls butt with such force that they do sometimes kill each other.

On the other side of the festival area was the cockfighting area. This was one of the most revolting spectacles I've ever seen, so I'll spare you the photo. The cocks fight until one gives up, and that can be a long time and leave both in a bloody mess. There are no prizes - it's just for fun and, tellingly was watched by men only.